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Ever fantasized about hitting the road and going deep into the depths of Albania? Chances are slim, but I am here to suggest you should start.
*Note: Danger in the title is not...
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In western mythology the phoenix, rising from its own ashes, represents cyclical extinction and regeneration; death and re-birth. Human stories lack the mythical qualities of the tales they inspire.
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After spending three weeks in Kenya (a third one in Tanzania reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro) and having the chance of experiencing the realities of the field as a Kiva Zip fellow I can’t feel more blessed with life for being here.
I define it as opportunity for learning while doing an impact and that is everything I need for my life at the moment. I am having the perfect exposure to gather the strength and confidence I need in order to achieve catalyst change in the way people think and act. Only with the sake of bringing process to...
Ever since I found out I was accepted to the Kiva Fellows program, I've felt very fortunate. Fortunate to volunteer with an organization that does incredible work in the mission to alleviate poverty. Fortunate to be based in Hanoi, Vietnam, one of my top choices for country placement. Fortunate to spend three weeks in Cambodia (prior to Vietnam) in order to interview actual borrowers and hear about the...
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On the plane to Kigali for my Kiva Fellowship at Urwego Opportunity International, I realise that my knowledge of Rwanda, the country of a thousand hills, is limited to the famous mountain gorillas and the tragic history of genocide in 1994.
I have little idea of what the people and the country will be like. Wary of the fact that everyone over 19 years old must have a significant story, I approach the city and its people with cautious optimism. I should not have been worried. Everywhere I go, gracious, smiling and incredibly polite people...
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just some of the lovely Ticos I met during my fellowship
It never ceases to amaze me how you can connect with people who are completely different from you. Maybe you don’t speak the same first language. Maybe you grew up on opposite sides of the world, or you were born in different decades. But somehow, despite all your differences—and perhaps against all odds—you find commonalities. And what’s more, sometimes you realize that below the surface, maybe you’re not actually all...
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